Marble Madness
One marble, one trackball and a cliff on every side.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1984
- Manufacturer
- Atari Games
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Vintage classics, Puzzle games
- Decade
- '80s arcade games
Marble Madness was like nothing else in the arcade: no guns, just a marble rolling across floating courses packed with ramps, drop-offs and seriously weird enemies. Atari Games released it in 1984, and you steered with a trackball, spinning it under your palm.
Racing a friend side by side, each with your own marble, made for some of the best rivalries of the era.
History
It was designed by Mark Cerny, who'd go on to become famous for his work on game consoles. Its geometric isometric look and its music made it unforgettable.
It was ported to plenty of home computers and consoles of the day.
How to play
Roll your marble with the trackball to the goal of each level before time runs out. Leftover time carries into the next level.
Watch out for falling off the edge or dropping from too high: your marble shatters and you lose precious seconds. Along the way, black marbles, hopping slinky worms and acid puddles try to knock you off course.
Fun facts
- You control it with a trackball.
- Two players can race at once, each with their own marble.
- It was designed by Mark Cerny.
In the arcade
Marble Madness is coming soon to UsuArcade. It's on our wishlist, and you can vote with I Want to Play It to help bring it in.
In the meantime, the arcade has the Tetris arcade, also from Atari Games, for two players at once, Arkanoid to sharpen your aim, and Bomb Jack for some platform hopping.
Once Marble Madness lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play Marble Madness on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wishlist, so vote with I Want to Play It, and try Tetris or Arkanoid meanwhile.
What year did Marble Madness come out?
1984, from Atari Games.
How many players is Marble Madness?
One or two players at the same time, each with their own marble.
How do you play Marble Madness?
Guide a marble down courses full of ramps and drop-offs to the goal before time runs out, without falling off.
